Movable infeed conveyor for sheet collator device

ABSTRACT

An infeed conveyor attached to the infeed end of a sheet collator device and interconnecting the outfeed station of a copy machine with the infeed station of the collator is made so that it can be moved from an operative position to an inoperative position for access to the copy machine without moving either the copy machine or the sheet collator device. The infeed conveyor is powered by the drive train of the sheet collator device and is either pivotally attached to the frame of the collator device or adapted to ride in vertical slots in the frame of the collator device from which position it can be raised and slid over the top of the sheet collator device.

[limited States Patent Sneiiman et a1.

MOVABLE HNFEED CONVEYOR FOR SHEET CDLLATOR DEVICE Inventors: Donald L.Snellman; Ronald W. Greene,

both of Seattle, Wash.

Int. CI. B65h 39/02, B65h 29/58 Field ofSearch ..270/58, 18, 19,52;271/64 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1956 Dietrich et al..271/79 Snellman et al. ..270/58 3,414,256 12/1968 Nestre ..270/58Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney-Seed, Berry & Dowrey [57]ABSTRACT An infeed conveyor attached to the infeed end of a sheetcollator device and interconnecting the outfeed station of a copymachine with the infeed station of the collator is made so that it canbe moved from an operative position to an inoperative position foraccess to the copy machine without moving either the copy machine or thesheet collator device. The infeed conveyor is powered by the drive trainof the sheet collator device and is either pivotally attached to theframe of the collator device or adapted to ride in vertical slots in theframe of the collator device from which position it can be raised andslid over the top of the sheet collator device,

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INVENTOR. DONALD L.SNELLMAM RONALD W. GREENE A TTORNE YS MOVABLE INFEEDCONVEYOR FOR SHEET COLLATOR DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to a conveyor for transferingsheets from the outfeed station of a copy machine to the infeed stationof a sheet collator device.

PRIOR ART RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE High speed sheet collating devicessuch as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,753 issued Feb. 9,197lassigned to the assignee of the present application, are typicallyconnected directly to the outfeed station of a copy machine to receivesheets or signatures and distribute them. When it becomes necessary toservice the copy machine, such as the copy machine now marketed underthe trade name AMCD of the Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, it hasbeen necessary to move the collator away from the copy machine foraccess thereto. Once serviced, the collator must be re-positioned inplace. This wastes a great deal of time. In addition the drive mechanismof either the copy machine and/or the sheet collator device must beinterrupted prior to repositioning of either. A way has been needed toservice the copy machine without disturbing the relative positions ofthe copy machine and collator device and preferably without having tointerrupt the power delivered to either the copy machine or collatordevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An infeed conveyor for conveying sheets from anoutfeed station of a copy machine to the infeed end of a collator deviceis attached to the frame of the collator device and driven by the powertrain thereof. The conveyor is attached to the frame of the collatordevice so that it can be moved from an operative position withoutdisturbing the relative positions ofeither the copy machine or collatordevice.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an infeed conveyorfor transferring sheets from the outfeed station of a copy machine tothe infeed station of a collator device.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide an infeed conveyorwhich can be moved from an operative position for access to the copymachine without disturbing the relative positions of either the copymachine or the collator device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an infeed conveyorwhich can be moved from its operative position without disengagement ofthe drive system of the infeed conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrating the relative positions of a collator device, the infeedconveyor ofthe invention and a copy machine;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the infeed end of a sheet collatordevice showing the infeed conveyor pivotally attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial top view of an alternate means of connecting thefeed end of the collator device to the infeed conveyor of thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. l the infeedconveyor, generally designated as reference numeral l, in operativeposition, is adapted to receive sheets or signatures from the outfeedstation of a copy machine 2 and transfer them directly to the infeed endof a sheet collator device 3. In operative position the infeed conveyoris in substantially horizontal position with its conveying surface inalignment with the infeed end of the sheet collator device. The sheetcollator device is preferably of the type described in U.S. Pat. No.3,561,753, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The collatordevice described therein is one which receives and distributes sheets atpreselected vertical positions for reception by a vertical column ofbins. The sheets are distributed by a perforated tape conveyor beltwhich passes over a vacuum plenum, the vacuum serving to hold the sheetsto the moving tape until they are deflected into a particular bin by adeflector which travels up and down the length of the bins. The infeedend of such a collator device is shown partially in FIGS. 2 to 5 andincludes vertical posts 4 (only one shown) having shaft 5 journaled forfree rotation in suitable bearings in a conventional manner therein.Surrounding shaft 5 is roller 6 around which is trained a narrowperforated belt or conveyor tape 6a. The conveyor tape is also trainedabout a lower roller (not shown) which is driven by suitable motormeans.

Adjacent to and aligned with roller 5 is a transfer conveyor whichextends substantially horizontally thereto. Only a portion of thetransfer conveyor is shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. The transfer conveyorincludes a continuous perforated conveyor belt 7a trained about spacedapart rollers 7 (only one shown the hub of the rollers being fixed onshaft 8 journaled in suitable bearings to frame member 9. Shaft 8extends through frame member 9. Circular gear 10 is rigidly attached tothe end of shaft 8. Rollers 7 of the transfer conveyor are driven bydriving gear 11 rigidly attached to the end of shaft 5. Transfer gear l2is rigidly mounted on shaft 13 journaled for rotation in frame member 9.A vacuum conduit 14 extends transversely of and is supported by framemember 9 and is connected to a vacuum source and to a channel (notshown) running parallel and longitudinally aligned with the perforatedbelt, the vacuum serving to keep sheets moving on the surface of thetransfer conveyor against the surface of the tape conveying surface.Disposed slightly above the upper surface of the perforated beltconveyor are a series of stationary spaced apart,

. interconnected hold down members 15 extending parallel to theperforated tape which assist in holding the sheets against the surfaceof the perforated tape.

The infeed conveyor of this invention is attached to the infeed end ofand driven by a sheet collator device. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the infeed endconveyor pivotally attached to the frame of the collator at its infeedend for movement from a horizontal or operative position around itspivot point without interrupting the drive train of the infeed conveyor.Alternatively the infeed conveyor can be attached for movement to theinfeed end of a collator device as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 so that theinfeed conveyor can be raised from its normally operative position andslid along the top surface of the collator device and transfer conveyor.

The infeed conveyor 1 includes spaced apart frame members 16 (only oneof which is shows) between which are located rollers 17 (one shown) withtheir hubs fixed on shaft 18 journaled for rotation at their oppositeends to frame 16. A perforated conveyor tape 19 is trained aroundrollers 17. A vacuum conduit 20 extends transversely of the conveyorsurface and parallel to rollers 17 and is supported by frame 16. Thevacuum conduit is connected to a suitable vacuum source and is in opencommunication with channel 21 running in alignment with perforated belt19, the vacuum serving to retain sheets being conveyed on the surface ofperforated tape conveyor 19 against it. To aid in retaining the sheetsto be distributed against perforated belt 19 a series of parallelstationary guide members 22 are located slightly above and parallel tothe upper surface of perforated tape conveyor 19 and in faceto-facerelationship. The guides are supported at both ends by transversesupport rods 23 and 24. Rod 23 is pivotally mounted between framemembers 16 at pivot point 25. Rod 24 rests in a notched flange 26attached to frame member 16 and adapted to receive the transverse rod.

The infeed conveyor is attached to the infeed end of the collator deviceso that it can be lifted out of the way for easy access to the copymachine. Two alternative methods of attaching the infeed conveyor areshown in FIGS. 2,3 and 4, 5. The preferred method of attachment is thatshown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 infeed conveyor frame 16 is pvotally attachedto frame member 9 of the collator device at pivot point 27. Coaxial withpivot point 27 and extending through conveyor frame 16 and attached tocollator frame 9 is shaft 28 journaled therein for rotation. On oppositeends of shaft 28 are rigidly attached sun gears 29 in mesh with drivinggear l1. Sun gears 29 are also meshed with gear 30 which is rigidlyattached to shaft 18. Shaft 18 extends through conveyor frame member 16and collator frame member 9. A semi-circular slot 31 slightly wider thanthe diameter of the shaft 18 and spaced a distance from pivot point 27equal to the radial distance from pivot point 27 to the center of shaft18 is cut in frame member 9. With this arrangement the infeed conveyor 1can be pivoted around pivot point 27 without loss of driving power torollers 17 through gear 30. The infeed conveyor can be pivoted a full180 or more and can be easily laid back out of place when access to thecopy machine is desired.

ln FIGS. 4 and 5 perforated belt 19 is driven by transfer gear 32rigidly attached to shaft 33 journaled for rotation to conveyor frame16, the transfer gear being in mesh with driving gear l1 when the infeedconveyor is in operative position. The infeed conveyor is attached tocollator frame 9 so that it can be vertically raised and slid out oftheway over the top of the collator and transfer conveyor. As shown in FIG.4 collator frame 9 has a vertical slot 34 therein near the infeed end inwhich roller 3S is journaled for rotation to frame 16. At the upper endof the slot tie bar 36 is pvotally attached at one end to conveyor framemember 16 at point 37 and at the opposite end to collator frame 9 atpoint 38. When access to the copy machine is desired the infeed conveyoris raised upwardly until roller 35 is out of slot 34. The conveyor isthen rolled along the top of the frame member 9 as shown in the partialphantom view of FIG. 4. When the conveyor is raised transfer gear 32disengages from driving gear 11. In addition power to the collatordevice is shut off by microswitch 36 located beneath the infeedconveyor. When the conveyor is lowered into operative position themicroswitch allows power to be supplied to the collator and infeedconveyor.

By either of the alternative arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5,easy access to the copy machine for replacing paper or other maintenanceis possible by simply moving the infeed conveyor from its normallyoperative position.

Although meshed gears are described as a means of driving the infeed andtransfer conveyor from the power train of the sheet collator, othermeans of driving the conveyors may be used such as one or more cog beltstrained about pulleys fixed to the ends of the respective shafts 5, 8,13, 18, 28.

What is claimed is:

l. A collating system including a sheet collator device for receivingand distributing sheets at preselected positions, and an infeed conveyorfor the collator device interconnecting the outfeed station of a copymachine with the infeed end of the sheet collator device, the collatorand the conveyor being driven by a common power source, the infeedconveyor adapted to be moved from an operative position to aninoperative position for access to the copy machine without changing therelative position of the copy machine and sheet collator device andwithout interrupting the power delivery to either the copy machine orthe collator device, comprising:

a sheet collator device having a collator distributor for receiving anddistributing sheets at preselected vertical positions for reception by avertical column of bins by powered sheet conveying means conveyingsheets in a substantially vertical course for deflection to the verticalcolumn of spaced bins by deflection means traveling up and down thelength of the bins, a powered infeed conveyor having a conveyor frameattached to the infeed end of the sheet collator device for movementbetween an operative position and an inoperative position, a poweredconveyor tape supported by the conveyor frame and having substantiallyhorizontal run when the frame is positioned in operative position forconveying sheets from the outfeed end of the copy machine to the infeedend of the collatorn device, the conveyor tape terminatin adjacent thevertically moving sheet conveying means o the collator device, drivingmeans operatively connected to the collator device and tape of theinfeed conveyor for commonly driving the same; and power means poweringthe driving means.

2. The system of claim 1 including means for applying vacuum pressure tothe surface of the endless distributor conveyor tape to aid in retainingmoving sheets there against for movement thereby, and stationary membersmounted on the conveyor frame above and opposite the endless distributorconveyor tape to assist in maintaining the moving sheets against theconveyor tape.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the driving means includes a poweredrotatable member of the sheet collator device operatively connected tothe power means, a circular driving gear attached for rotation to thepowered rotatable member, a circular driven gear operatively connectedto the endless distributor conveyor tape of the infeed conveyor, and atransfer gear journaled for rotation to the infeed conveyor frame and inmesh with the driving and driven gears when the infeed conveyor is inoperative position.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the transfer gear disengages from thedriving gear on movement of the conveyor frame from an operativeposition to an inoperative position.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the infeed conveyor frame is securedabout a pivot point to the infeed end of the sheet collator device, thetransfer gear is axially journaled to the frame of the conveyor at thepivot point and the driven gear is in constant mesh with the transfergear in operative or inoperative position.

1. A collating system including a shEet collator device for receiving and distributing sheets at preselected positions, and an infeed conveyor for the collator device interconnecting the outfeed station of a copy machine with the infeed end of the sheet collator device, the collator and the conveyor being driven by a common power source, the infeed conveyor adapted to be moved from an operative position to an inoperative position for access to the copy machine without changing the relative position of the copy machine and sheet collator device and without interrupting the power delivery to either the copy machine or the collator device, comprising: a sheet collator device having a collator distributor for receiving and distributing sheets at preselected vertical positions for reception by a vertical column of bins by powered sheet conveying means conveying sheets in a substantially vertical course for deflection to the vertical column of spaced bins by deflection means traveling up and down the length of the bins, a powered infeed conveyor having a conveyor frame attached to the infeed end of the sheet collator device for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position, a powered conveyor tape supported by the conveyor frame and having substantially horizontal run when the frame is positioned in operative position for conveying sheets from the outfeed end of the copy machine to the infeed end of the collator device, the conveyor tape terminating adjacent the vertically moving sheet conveying means of the collator device, driving means operatively connected to the collator device and tape of the infeed conveyor for commonly driving the same; and power means powering the driving means.
 2. The system of claim 1 including means for applying vacuum pressure to the surface of the endless distributor conveyor tape to aid in retaining moving sheets there against for movement thereby, and stationary members mounted on the conveyor frame above and opposite the endless distributor conveyor tape to assist in maintaining the moving sheets against the conveyor tape.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the driving means includes a powered rotatable member of the sheet collator device operatively connected to the power means, a circular driving gear attached for rotation to the powered rotatable member, a circular driven gear operatively connected to the endless distributor conveyor tape of the infeed conveyor, and a transfer gear journaled for rotation to the infeed conveyor frame and in mesh with the driving and driven gears when the infeed conveyor is in operative position.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the transfer gear disengages from the driving gear on movement of the conveyor frame from an operative position to an inoperative position.
 5. The system of claim 3 wherein the infeed conveyor frame is secured about a pivot point to the infeed end of the sheet collator device, the transfer gear is axially journaled to the frame of the conveyor at the pivot point and the driven gear is in constant mesh with the transfer gear in operative or inoperative position. 